9><:-<><>v<><=<.><:~<.'><::.-<'
' has tirade such arrangements in his business
WHOLE NO. 4228.
><.': .7-< 2=< K 3.4‘ :4; 3..-;' ;.;_-;.,-;
PUBLISHED BY
_ 'S. VV. BENEDICT.
TER.\IS.—-TWO Dollars per aunum, payable
-Quarterly. Mail subscribers in advance.
,Anv=;rt'rrsi«:ne-.\"rs, less than a square, 75
ms; ‘at souare, S1 00, for three insertions.
iACCO.‘vIMODATION PACKETS.
To Saitfrom HOYTS 8,‘ CO.'S I'.amtiiig at
.N'orwolk,for Pcc.7.:- Slip, .New- York.
HE Norwalk Line of Packets have corn-
menced their weekly trips, and will sail
regularly through the season in the following
order : Sloop CITIZEN, Brown. to leave Nor-
walk for New York on Tiiesdays, and return
the Saturday following: Sloop IVIECI-IA‘.\‘lC,
LHoyt, on Thursdays, and return the Tiresday
following; and Sloop SABINA, Daskarn, on
Satiirdays;-ind return the Thursday followinv.
For Freight or Passage apply to the Cap-
tains on board, or at the Store of
HOYTS 8:. CO.
Norwalk, April I, 18°36. 6
REGULAR PACKET,
Between Five Mile River and .N'ew York.
HE subscriber informs his
old customers and the pub
lie that the Sloop ATLANTIC,
Capt. Byxbee, will run the en-
from the new Store and Wharf
suing season
"near the Bridge, at Five Mile River, leaving
every Tuesday evening, and returning on the
Saturday following. Every accommodation
will be given to passengers and freighters,and
-all business faithfully attended to. Apply to
‘the Captain on board, or to the subscriber.
» ANDREW BELL.
Norwalk, Five Mile River,
February 20, 185.76. 3m* 59!.
Summer‘ .»f1rr(trigei7zcrzz.
Fm IV/iitestone, Saiv.-.-1'13. and .«'V'orwalIc.
' “ « I WIIE Steam Boat
JOHN MAR
SHALL.Ah’tn Benson,
— master, will leave Catli
em“; 5;.-t-,.-i l«‘.:a.y, every day, at 7 o’clock in
the nioinirrg, (Sundays cxc-.epted,) and Old
‘Well, Nvirwalk, at 9., P. M. touching at her dif-
ferent places, going and returning. For par-
ticulars inquire on the Wharf or to the cap-
tain on board in New York, or of Chichcster
81. Q_uiritai'd. Norwlk.
P.-issagrgwliitesione 50 cts,Sawpits 75 cts,
}\'orwalk $1. FREIGHTS received at the
A':"‘?:;-_x..~,_. _ - ’ $7151‘
3;sr20_Io‘-'¢-.:- —_-5&1‘.-’CiE4--,.s.
usual prices, payable on or before delivery.
N. B. Post Coaches and Stages will be in
readiness at Norwalk, to convey passengers
M-iy cc, taec.
ajnany place. 13
‘;I,,;—';,.-. A
POST-
....—..-. _ ., , 17 —,
DANBURY AND NORVVALK
COACH LINE. "
PLATT, PARTRICK. $2. CO. wish to
give notice that they intend runnirig a
daily stage through the ensuing season, from
Danbury (by way of Betlrcl,) to Norwalk—
leaving Danbtiry at 7 o’clock every morning,
and arrive in time to meet the steam-boat,
which runs daily from Norwalk to NewYork,
and leaving Norwalk upon the arrival of the
steam-boat. Having recently purchased a
new Post Coach expressly for this route,witli
good teams, they flatter themselves they shall
be able to give general satisfaction to all who
may be disposed to favor them with their cus-
fom. I\,I.orwalk,April I, 1826. 6ft
SILVER SPOONS.
3 BE subscriber having received from his
Friends and the Public getierally, a
much greater share of their patronage than
be even anticipated, would now tender his
sincere thanks and solicit a continuance. I-Ie
as will enable him to supply his customers
with SILVER SPOONS ofariy description
at the shortest notice, and on the most liberal
terms. People living at a distance b_v sending
their orders by either of the Post-riders ma;
be supplied with SPOONS of airy pattern or
price and warranted good Silver. The Ini-
tials ofthc name and iirore ifrequired will be
handsomely engraved, free of expense.
He also continues the Watch Repairing,
and will be tliaukful for any favours he may
receive. *,(_* CASH and the highest price al-
ways paid for old Gold and Silver.
LEVI CLARK.
Norwalk, April 10, 18316.
CLAY’S ITCH OINTMENT,
F OR pleasantiiess, safety, expedition, ease
and cert-ainty,is infinitely superior to any
other medicine, for the cure of that most dis-
agreeable arid tormenting disorder-Likewise
_for all herrctie eruptions and irirpurities ofthe
skin. Price 33 cents. For sale by B. Isaacs
Nor\i':ilk, and S. Jarvis, Stamford,
July 4tli,-18225.
Clay’s Stomach Bitters,
Just.9‘ccei1.'cd andfur sale at the G.-QZETTE
0FF1CE—-Also, by S. St. John and Bcrij.
Isaacs, Norwalk, and by Sc_r/mourJar'vz's,
Stamford.
HESE approved Bitters will give relief in
all cases of Nausea, vomitirig,flatulence,
,heart-burn,costiveness,weakiiess at the breast
pain in the stomach, loss of appetite, and all
symptoms of indigestion. They are avery
‘pleasant cordial bitter.—-Price 25 Cents.
November 18, 1895.
Pearl ’1‘ootl1-Powder.
~ Gentlemen 8; Ladies’ Pearl TOOTH POW-
DER—Preparcd by Dr. CLAY.
.
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"1:-:><><><:><:-+:::-r;‘m:;~:::-<;:-::-:2-::=-:.::-:2-rt:-<-:--:3-cr:-::>:-as pa rt of the country, will be thankfully rec’d 8:.
For sale at the Gazette O_[]ice—Priee 25 Cts.
For sale also by Benj. Isaacs and Stephen St.
. J‘olin, Norwalk, and S. Jarvis, Staintord
November 1,1835’.
SPRING FASHIONS.
EOSEPH E. GORKER
l~JSPECTFULLY informs his friends
and the Prrblic in general, that he still
carries on the business at the old stand of
Scofield &. Corker, where‘ all orders from any
piirictually attended to. He would also in-
form them that he has just returned from N.
York, where he has spared no pains to secure
the latest Fashions, and frotii his experience
in the business, anti having experienced work-
men, lie will assure all those who will favour
him with their custom, that they may depend
on having their work done in the neatest and
most fashionable manner.
N. B. A supply ofthe best of Trimmings, ‘
kept constantly on hand. ,_ -
Norwalk, May 8. 18926.
New Supply of Groceries,
WHQEESAEE &B.E'iTAIIr.
* "DIVARD H. STREET liasjustreturn-
'1 ed from New Y0rl{ with a fresh 3550.-1;-
ment of G 1OCERlES of all kinds, which
he offers on as reasonable terms as can be
purchased elswhere.
Among his assortment may be found—-
RUM, Brandy. Gin, Wines, 8:. Cordials;
various kinds ofTEAS and SUGARS ; Mo-
lasaes; Butter ; Cheese; Pork ; Fish : Rice
Crackers; IV; I. Fruit; Ginger; Pepper;
Pearlash ;Nutincgs ; Segars; Snuff and To-
bacco of all kinds ; Candles, Soap. &*.c. Sec.
Together with a general assortment of
HARDWARE and FINDINGS.———L't'A'e-
wise,——Ground Logwood and Niclieragua-
wood ; Glass, Putty, Chalk, Rosin. and Oil-
11
stones. &c. Norivalk. Nov. 19..
N orwalk Dispensary
Sign of 1:710 [I1-07'td7‘,
South of the Bridge
I
I "'1 HE Proprietors have recently been malt-
iiig considerable additions to the above
establishment, which, together with former
stock. enables them to offer to their friends 3:.
}
.-
the pirblic as extensive a~<t7tlHtt.’[][ of
BRVGS; MEBECINES,
iétrttritt ,i~El£IttEitIt'£é, (:"t’itf1t't‘i£?tl£i, 3::
A5 are usually fourid in a couirtry sto're,which
they will dispose of, Wlrotesatc and Retail, on
the most reasonable terms for cash.
A variety ofFaricy articles, Perfumery,3;.c,
among which are pot $1. roll POMATUM; real
Windsor, imitation do. embossed, transpar-
ent, 31. common SOAPS ; Russia, macassar.
and Antique Oils; Dressing Boxes, milk of
roses, tooth brushes, india rubber, wafers, $20.
Fruit 8,‘ Spices--R:ii.~ins, Figs, Tamarin-J5,
Almonds, Filberts, Peanuts, Prunes, Oran-
ges, Lemons, Cloves, Nutmegs, Mace, Cas-
sia, race Ginger, Cayenne Pepper. &*.c.
Essential OILS, and ESSENCES, of all
kinds prepared in the best uianne-r. .
A small assortment of pure Liquors, Ifinc,
Porter, flte, &.c. for sickness.
A constant and extensive supply offirst rate
POTASl‘IES, at the lowest Cash. prices.
In fitting tip and furnishing this Establish-
ment, the Proprietors have spared neither
labour and expense, and they now earnestly
solicit public C0llnIC':‘fll1C0 and support-
so long as they render ‘l]Cl'llS8lVeS deserving
ofit, and no longer.
PRICE 5:. M"LEAN.
COTTON BATTS
F OR sale by Locxwoon 8:. ST. JOHN.
Min-ctr l.‘%_ l._89.6. 3
Xcoiistzirii supply or Stoi.eLtiiir-., kept Iur
./_= sale by S’l‘P.EE'I‘ &. Jiurras. 10
Lockwood 32‘ St. John
1_§:AVEjust rec’d and offer for sale on as ;
good terms as cash can command, the
following new Goods :-—
4 4, and 6 4 Bobbinctt Lace
1 8 and I 16 Bobbinctt Lace
Swiss a rid Cotton Lace
Black, white and green French crapcs
Black and col’d canton crapes
Bloc 8L-brown striped and fig’d gro de naples
Fig’d and plain black gros de riaples
White, black and green Florence
Light and dark blue do
White, black and brown satin
French and India Lcvantinc
Sinchews and Sarsnctt
Black and green Indra silk, 1 1-tlyd. wide
Bornbazett and Bornbaziiie ,.
Toilrictt and silk Vcsungs
Black Mode. Black silk Velvet:
lrisli linens and linen carribric
Linen carnbric hdltls. anti Long Lawn
Black, blue, green and brown Tabby Velvet
CALICOES, an assortment
Furniture Cliiui:/.
Black levarrtiiie and canton hdkfs
Gros de naples and calishincrc do
Barrage and PIIISSIIIII dd
Silk and cottoir flagg tidlifs
Childreu’s pocket hdkls.
Scarlet and broivn do
White and col’d muslin cravats
8-4 English mcritio Shawls
5-4 handsome cliiritz Shawls
A quantity of Russia Diaper cheap
Gloves, an assortment
It‘ig"d and plain Jacoiret muslin
Plain and fig’d Book muslin
Cainbric muslin. Leno
Sarsnett and white glazed muslin
Plain and fig’d Swiss muslin
Hosiery, an assortment
Brown muslin for bats
Geansuilc and Cassinett _
Ginghams and checks, low
Atnericuu and Russia Sheeting
Olive and Bangup cord, very cheap
Ribbons, a variety
Cambric and Furniture Dimity
Braids, cords, tapes and bobbin
Norwalk, May 99-
'UST received and on sale by the sub: - ri-
ber 100 BAGS—-a real good article, and
well made, holding 3 bushels each. at 87 1-2
a piece. Also, on commission, WRAPPING
PAPER,by Ream‘. A. NASH. l
NORWALK, Com. TUESDAY, JULY 11, 139.6.
ORATION
DELIVERED AT NORVVALK, .
On t/re 50th Annivcrsrtry of Indcperrdence,
BY MR. NORMAN PINNEY.
I-Ltvmo on a former occasion called your
attention to the rapid growth, and future pros-
pects of our country, I would now offer a few
thoughts on the formation andlpeculiaradvam
tages ofour constitution. It is a subject less
attractive to the fancy, brit equally grateful to
the understanding ; as, on the peculiar excel-
lence of otrr political institutions, must be
founded all reasoriable hopes of future pros-
perity. The poet indeed tells us,
“ For forms of government let fools contest,
Whatcver’s best administered is best,”
as if a good administration were likely to at-
tend a_ bad form: but, such a sentiment is e-
qually opposed to all the suggestions of rea-
son, and all historical experience. It is the
very essence of.a good constitution that it se-
cures worthy magistrates, and\ offers induce-
ments to the riiost faithful exercise oftheir
talents. A form of guvcrnnrent may be such
that the administration can never be exteri-
sively bad ; and forms of government may.
and sornctruies have rendered it impossible,
that the administration should ever be very
salutary.
It requiresbutlittle knowledge of human
nature to convince us that great permanent
power ought never to be coiniuitted to an in-
dividual. Selfishriess is naturally the great
actuating principle in the breast of man.-
Granting then to absolute monarchs the pro-
pensities common to all men, their subjects
niustbe the iircre instrlrnierrts of gratilyirig
theirprivate personal feelings. The imeresi
ofthe monarch is indeed sometiitres.identified
with that ofthe nation; but this is notalways
tlius,nor is passion always checked by the dic-
tates of policy. Taught to consider the peo-
ple as his property,ci'eated for his use, the ab-
solute monarch engages in Wars of ambmon
or revenge regardless of their sufferings and
death. Why did the thronging millions of
Xerxes fatten the fieldsand choak the seas
of Athens? It was because their \VE’ak man-
arch was ambitions of eating the figs of
Greece uiipurcliased. VVhy did the brave l
followers ot Charles XII. fall the victims ofa f
Russian winter on the banks of the Neipor ? ,_
It was because that mad leader would wage l
war witlithe elements and oppose the very
course ofrrature. It was the personal amhi I
tion ofcardirral Wolsey that, during the reign
oflicury Vlll involved England in an iuipol- t.
itic war with France. liidccd aluiost the l
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whole career ofevt=ry rriighty conqueror, with
all its accumpanirncrits ofcrui try and de_q0l;l:
tion, has been directed by prersorial arnhitioii. l
Tire very fact that the measures of a despotic l
governtiieiit vary according to the character‘ I
of its ~ovcrcigns, proves that the gooil oftheirl
siibjccts is not the ruotive by which they are I
actuated. Wlien the prrsctit Empercr of
Russia succeeded to the throne it was infg.-.
red from his charatzter what would he the pm.
hable conduct ofthat govt-rnrnerit rm-..-rrds
’J‘urkey. \Vho would not smile at the ltlt‘n
of Frzruce, under her prvsrrnt king, pursuing
the satire course of nieasures that she did un-
der Napoleon ?
Nor arethe designs of the despot merely
separate froui the interests of the people.--
They are sometimes directly opposed to tlrern.
Their greatest gain becomes his greatest
dread. The apliorisr-tr that knowlerlge is
poweris nowhere more strikingly verified than
in political revolutions. The people who pos-
sess knowledgc will possess power. Of this
iyrarits are well aware, and against this they
have learned in sonre measure to pr-'ividc.——
There is a limit in the field of national im-
provement beyond which they dare not suffer
their subjects to advance. The head is thus
opposed to the best interestof the ruerubers,
and all its vigilance and ingcniiity» are exert-
ed to their detriment. The great; monarchs
of Europe have never encouiiter'ed a ‘more
formidabte foe than the general diffusion of
knowledge, nor have they ever opposed one
with more united and systematic efforts. And
is it of»nI5'conseqiieucc to possess a form of
government prqdnctivc oftliese effects? IVe
may well say ot°such a people, “ God has gi-
vi-u them a king in his wrath.”
There is also sometliiug in the very posses-
sion Of-"trlritrary power which tends to unfit
I1!‘-1Uf0Tll5 exercise. The human mint‘. ever
needs restraint. The ungovcrned child be-
comes il Wayward and desperate youth, and in
rrper years indulgence fosters ungovernable
_passioiis. The rrian whose. will is. his only
law ; whose idle whims and fanciful couccits
have ever been treated with the most servile
coiupliarice, becomes capricious, unfeeling,
irrliuman. The same power which gives a-
bility, gives also the disposition, for producing
extensive misery. Hence the history ofabso-
lute inouiirclis is replete with iustarrccs ofap-
palliug cruelty perpetrated to gratify a nio-
inentary pctuleiice, or the malice of some a-
bandoued favorite. Nero wished the' people
of Rome had but one neck that he might de-
stroy all at a blow ; and Alexander, whose na-
tural generosity and benevolence were tlio’t
remarkable, in fits of Baccharialian frenzy,
uiurdered with his own hands his most belov-
ed and most devoted friends. Such power a
niercilul God never designed to corrimit to
one man. To such a power he can never
will his creatures to be obnoxious.
Nor are these evils remedied by commit-
ting the power prematurely to a select few.-
Tliey are rather increased. This elevation of
the nobles, gives them all the cruelty and sel-
fishness ofdespots, and their tyranny is intense
in proportion to the narrowness of their terri-
tory. In an extensive monarchy the. weight
of oppression falls less heavily upon individu-
als from its wide diffusion ; while these petty
tyrants lord it over their domains with all the
energies of concentrated despotism. This is
strikingly illustrated in the case ol'tlie feudal
barons. It was their intolerable oppression ,
which prevented the larger fiefs from growing .
into independent sovereignties.
Modern Europe presents many instances
where the people, driven by the oppression of
their immediate superiors, have tnadea volun-
tary offer oftheir crown to a single monarchs
wisely exchanging this form for despotism
with all its miseries. Denmark, within less
than two centuries, and Sweden. 3! 3 P9595
more recent, ftirnislr examples ofthis kind.
The mutual jealousies and rivalships _also
ofthe nobles in an oligarchy create divisions
which their despotic power and spirit often
cause them to carry to the most dangerous ex-
tremities. Such governments are the cori-
stant prey of internal discord and foreign iii-
trigue. Perhaps in ‘no country has ruin been
so unavoidably the result ofits form of gov-
ernment asin ill-fated Poland. Her diet, a
scene of perpetual contention, and a source of
freqiientinternal war", tempted the surround-
ing powers to that cold, deliberate, unparal-
leled coalition against her liberties, Which.
notwithstanding the many instances ofdevo-
ted heroism displayed in her defence, termi-
nated in her dismemberrnent. ’
“ Oh, bloorliest picture in the book oftime,
Sarmatia fell unwept, without a crime;
Found not a generous friend, a pitying foe,
Strength in herarm, nor mercy in her woe,
Drop’d from her merciless grasp the shat-
tered spear ; _
Closed her bright eye and curbed her high
career,
Hope fora season bade the world farewell,
And freedom slirieked as Kosciusco fell.”
Power which is not delegated, but exercised
by the people collectively, is productive of
evils no loss numerous or certain. It can tie-
ver be but a petty state where the people
must assemble and direct every public mea-
sure, and is not more contemptible from the
narrowness nfits limits, than from the tumult
and inconsistency ofitsatlniinistratiorr. lVho-
ever reflects upon the phenomenon occurring
around him in society must have observed the
almost resistless force and constant variation
of public sentiment. The Waves which the
tempest raises as it traverses the ocean are
not more extensive. more ttirniiltrious, nor
scarcely less coristant, than the agitations of
public sentiment from seine transitory caprice
as it passes over a community. No power
short of his who sees and governs our inmost
thoughts can at all times restrain its friry. Of
this the bloody drama of the French revolu
tion may bear witness. -It was iliis which ex-
cited the unitcdpowers ofchristcndorn against
the infidels. when two millions of the choicest
chivalry ofEurope perished in the east. It is
this which in otir own cotiiitry will probably
render ineffit.-.ierit all laws for the suppression
nftlieatrical exhibitions, iritemperance, slave-
ry and dirt.-lliug. But though this principle
cannot be wholly restrained (as perhaps it
ought not.) it can be much modified, and di
rceted by the influence ofa proper systerii of
government and the example of influential
citizens. But a democracy is its most con-
genial element: ht-re, popular caprice is not
only unrestrained, but is itself the great actu-
ating principle of the administration. Any
sudden impulse given it by party animosity be
sympathetic exciternentluring the gtrgcriiiiieiit
to measures which in moments ofsobcr reflec-
tiou they regret in vain. One ofthe ablcst of
the Athenian generals, who has been deserv
odly style:-l by an English poet “ Freedom's
firnicst, rlcarcst friend,” because he was once
unsuccessful in war was thrown into prison
by his coiiutry, where he died ofthe wounds
he had received in her service. The greatest
pliilosoplieroftlie Athenians, and the purest
teacher of heathen tirorality. was condcuined
to death as a corruptor ofyouth. - Aristides.
when banished for ten years, was told by one
who voted for the ureasure, that it was because.
they were tired ofhcariug him called thejust.
Roiiie, whose system of _t_r.overninent when
most popular was but slightly de.mocratic,just
before her invasion by the Gauls, banished
her rrrost valuable citizen, a gcneral,says Livy,
who ifthcre is any certainty in hriinan things
would have otherwi-re preserved the city from
her subsequent capture and almost total an-
iiihilatiou.
Nor are the people in a detirocracy much
less liable to be made instrumentssubservient
to the designs and passions of an individual
than,in a monarchy. Pericles governed Ath-
en? with a sway asunliniited as that ofXerxes
or Darius over the Persians. In compliance
with the wishes of an abandoned woman, he
is said to have engaged his country in a ivar
against the Samiaus, in which was wasted
inircli blood and treasure of the Atheniaus,and
the city of their enemies totally destroyed.——
It was personal motives in the same man
which involved Greece in that celebrated war
of twenty-sevcii years, which terminated in
the fall ofhis country.
Such is the necessary tendency ofthese po-
litical systems. Though their effects, modifi-
ed by different combinations ofcircuiustances,
may vary, their inherent evils remain the
same, and are rriaiiilest. And are we now to
be told that forms of governiireiit are of no
value? Is history a dream? Is reason a dc-
lusioii ? Have all the revolutions Wl‘.lCll cori-
vulsed the world taught us no lesson? No,
my countrymen. In. the peculiarities of otir
own Coustitutioii we possess a treasure of irr-
estirnable value. They have raised our coun-
try to her present height of prosperity, and
we fondly hope will continue to.bear her on-
ward above the possibility ofrivalship. De-
fective as these kinds of government which
have now been mentioned appear, both frorii
reason and experience, they, with their vari-
ous mixed forms, include all that have exist-
ed, except the class to which our own belongs.
Perhaps ilie least objectionable of these is
monarchy ; and in this the others have a
manifest tendency to terminate. “ It is very
probable (says Montesquieu) that mankind
would at length have been obliged to live
constantly under the government of a single
man, had they not contrived a kind of consti-
tution, that has all the intertial advantages.
ofa republican, together with the external '
force ofa nionarchical government. I mean
a confederate republic.” Such a form of
government is ours, and it is,beyond alldoubt,
far the iuost perfect of its kind. Never, be-
fore its formation, was there a combination of
circumstances so favorable to the establish-
ment of a perfect system, and never were ad- I
(vantages more happily improved; It has bti‘-‘I3
i tineiit as ifto
1 several sn_ia|ler_repulJli0S;
\
VOL. lX— NO.E’.0.
,
well rcmariteci that the occasion rnakesrlie
man. The French revolution produced Na-
poleon. The priculiar state of Entzland._at;
and sequent to the decapitation of Charles I’,
called forth the energies of Cromwell. VVhen
these states were to beled to independence our
VVashin'gton appeared. And during thatperiod
of or-ir political need which preceded the es-
ftablishment of our present constitution, there
were not iiianting such men as the emergency‘
demanded. Their talents and disinterested
zeal would have done honor to any nation.-—
“ For myself (says Mr Pitt) I must dPCl.H'°.
and avow that in all my reading and tiliu.-?‘i-v-
ation, (and it hasbeen my favourite studv ; I
have read Thucidides, and studied and admi-
red the master states of the world,) I say I
must declare and avow, that for solidity of
reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of
conclusion under such a complication ofdifii-
cult circumstances, no nation or body ofirien
can stand in preference to the General Con-
gress at Philadelphia.” The exertions ofsuch
men, with an invention stimulated by the ne-
cessities of their situation, an understanding
informed by a perfect. knowledge ofthe con-
dition and exigencies of our country, and a
judgment founded on all the experience of
ancient and modern times, may well be enu-
nrcrated amongst the peculiar advantages in
the fortnatioii of our constitution.
A principal obstruction in the establishment
of more perfect systems of government is in
bringingimproved theories to actual applica-
tion. Two of the greatest men of antiquity
have‘ written treatises on republics,which they
considered as far preferable to any that then
existed, birt probably without the riiost distant.
idea of their ever being applied to practice.
The state anti relation of political communi-
ties have con'imouly been the result of causes
beyond the foresight and guidance of irian.
The despot thus becomes possessed ofpower
which the friends ofliberty can seldom wrest
from him; and even then the pliilaiithropist
treuibles for the consequences. Society,freed
from the restraints oflong establislied usages,
resembles some untried mixture of cliemical
ingredients. where, though the artist may be
sure of etiervessence, precipitation. and a new
compound, he can form no probable idea of
its properties. The march of popular power
in ancient Rome was through storms of civil
tumult, which sometimes threatened her en-
tire destruction. France has been the thea-
tre of revolutions for thirty years, yet her lib-
erty has gained nothing. The comniotions
which couvulsed England when her liberties
were highest elevated, still agitate her Island.
And now the rriost candid frietids ofthe Brit-
ish Constitution advocate its merits not be-
cause iliey can devise nothing better, bothe-
cause that if the elemeiits ofsocicty were a-
gain mingled togetlicr, they despair of their
subsiding into airy thing preferable. How
dilfererit was the establishment of our liberty.
The collected wisdom ofour country assem-
bled in calm and uninterrupted (l8llb(‘f8llOQ._»
lilvcry ingenious thought, every lesson t)f,,,2;)"£)-
litieal experience, the wisdour of antiquity,
and the deductions of pliilosoplrical FLlj_-‘.1lClIy'
might here be embodied and rendered useful
in the formation‘ ofa system which a people
waited to receive.
The peculiar local situation ofour country
was another importzint advantage. It has been
truly said that rieiglrbouring nations are natu-
ral euemies. Not that iuountains interposed
make enemies of uatioris, but their very con-
iiguity produces rivalships, jealousies, and
jarring interests, until their national .antrpa-
thy seems almost instinctive. A nation in
the immediate vicinity of several others feels
itself surrounded by enetiiies. Its rights are
secured only by its physical force. It makes
and breaks alliances as its neiglihors bcco:ne
successively the objects of its apprehension.
The history ofinoderri Europe is a history of
constant wars, coalitions, and intrigues.’ This
state of things leads necessarily to the estab-
lishment of extensive fortifications and stand-
ing armies. In such nations the. most allu-
ring field for enterprise and talents is the ar-
my. The ‘education oftheir youth is for the
army. The artny is looked upon by the peo-
ple as their protector, their superior, their
master. A military despotism, or an approx-
imation to,it,. is the necessary result. The
superior freedom ofthe English over the oili-
er governments of Europe is principally to be
attributed to her insular situation and her
powerful navy, which renders unnecessary,
and prevents, any great internal military es-
tablishment. “If Britain (says Mr. Hamil-
ton) had been situated on the continent, and
had been compelled (as she would have been
by that situation) to make her military estab-
lishments at home co-extensive with the oth-
er great powers of Europe, she, like them,
would in all probability at this day be a vic-
tini to the absolute power of a single man.”
Nations are also strongly affected bv the 130'-
litical character of coruiguous governments.
The spirit ofliberty, like the electric flirrd, is
not oiilv communicated by sirtlden sensible
dilfiisions, but also fromjuxrzr position by inr-
perceptrble transmissions. Absolute monarchs
have learned to oppose what they would term
bad example; the establislirnetit of contig-
uous free governments. As friends of trian-
kirid, we would observe with joy every syrup-
inni of rising liberty in airy nation ; but in
Europe it is opposed both by riionarclis whom V
danger teaches to use vigilance, and experi-
ence the way ; and also, by the disadvanta-
gcs ofa local sitriatiori which ifit does not
preclude the possibility of complete liberty
will postpone it to a period too remote for rea-
sonablc speculation. How verv U16 YBVGTSQ
oftliis was oirr situation. Iinaginaliotl COUIII
not have pictured a place more lavotirublc t-ir
the establishment ofa perfect C0llS[llllIl()l1.—.—-
Our wide spread territory lay unencumbered,
as if placed by its creator for the El‘i‘_"fl eXl’3l"
imenr. Here were no threatening rntlitary des-
pots which our system must '39 fflffllefl I0 ‘’I"
..-_ ' ' factions to comprotnise——-iro
pose no jarring _ _
dernagogues to satisfy. No Holy Alliance
dictated in our Councils. The Atlantic, that
spread hisiwaste of waves between us $1. these
evils, dashed upon the shores of either.(.on-
keep the distance uirdrminished.
ivisioth ofour coirntry mm
The revious d _ _
P of it size suitable to.
Norwalk Chronicler